Van Hellemond, appointed to the role in 2000, will remain with the league's hockey operations department as a consultant.

"I certainly enjoyed my four years as director of officiating, and I am proud of what we were able to accomplish over that time," said Van Hellemond, who officiated 1,475 regular-season games and
227 playoff games from 1972-96. "My time [there] was very demanding but very rewarding."

No replacement was announced. Colin Campbell, the NHL's executive vice president and director of hockey operations, said there is no timetable to replace Van Hellemond.

"Andy was perhaps the best coach of on-ice officials this league has ever had, and he brought an impressive combination of experience and professionalism to his job every day," Campbell said.

Van Hellemond, who became one of the first officials to wear a
helmet, worked his last game on June 8, 1996. He served as the
senior vice president of hockey operations with the ECHL for
three years and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in
1999.

Information from The Associated Press and SportsTicker was used in this report.